Bus union confirm plans for strike action after turning down Stagecoach’s ‘paltry’ pay offers

A union official has announced that staff at a Worksop bus depot will be striking on four days in upcoming weeks to secure a pay in line with inflation.
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Bus staff at the Worksop depot, in Hardy Steet, and Mansfield, have announced they will be taking strike action over pay on July 26, August 2, August 9 and August 16.

Stagecoach East Midlands said they have offered a two-year deal which would give them a 13.2 per cent pay increase, with 9.7 per cent uplift in the first 12 months and 3.5 per cent in the second year.

Gary Jackson, RMT regional organiser, said the ‘paltry pay offer’ is not what the members want.

RMT has announced plans for strike action over pay.RMT has announced plans for strike action over pay.
RMT has announced plans for strike action over pay.

Gary is a lead officer for another Stagecoach-owned bus company in Chesterfield where members have accepted a one year pay deal of 9.6 per cent.

He said: “We have said to Stagecoach East Midlands Worksop and Mansfield that if they can match that deal, we'll call the action off. Our issue isn't with the first year, our issue is being tied to a second year deal that's around 4 per cent.

"Bus drivers are not fantastically paid, they take home £1400 a month – the money is terrible.

“We know inflation is on the rise, and our members don't want the second year as a 4 per cent deal. We want a one year deal which is in line with inflation.”

In an earlier statement, Stagecoach alleged the union ‘refused to allow’ its members to vote on any of the three pay deals offered.

Gary said this is a ‘lie’. “Our members did have a say. On the first pay offer, our members, through our branch structure, told us they want a one year deal in line with inflation, and that’s not what was on offer.

“[The members] want a negotiate position, we never want to take strike action.

"We’re not asking for the world. Our members are determined to get a good deal.

“The setup of having paltry pay offers from Stagecoach that make millions and millions of pounds every year through its shareholders – [the members] want a bit of that cake, and it's rightly deserved.”

He added: “We’re happy to meet with the company and speak about it going forward, but they don’t seem to be listening to what we’re saying.”

Earlier Matt Cranwell, managing director of Stagecoach East Midlands, said they ‘urge the union to return to talks so they can deliver a deal that is in the best interests of everyone’.

More updates to come as we hear them.